Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Depleted India secure astonishing series win in Australia

Depleted India secure astonishing series win in Australia

Rishabh Pant unleashed a Twenty20-style batting assault to blast India to an incredible three-wicket win in the fourth test decider on Tuesday (19) as Ajinkya Rahane's injury-ravaged tourists humbled Australia with a 2-1 series triumph.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant timed his innings to perfection in a 138-ball 89 as India galloped to a record 328-run chase at the Gabba, becoming the first team since the West Indies in 1988 to beat Australia at their Brisbane stronghold.


With regular captain Virat Kohli savouring fatherhood back home, India mowed down 145 runs after tea to claim a win against all odds when Pant smashed Josh Hazlewood to the long-off fence for four with 18 balls to spare.

"This is one of the biggest moments of my life now, and I'm happy that all the support staff and all my team mates supported me even when I wasn't playing," lefthander Pant said after being named Man of the Match.

"It's been a dream series.

"It was a fifth-day pitch and the ball was turning a bit. I thought I have to be disciplined with my shot selection."

Pant's stellar innings was only one of a slew of heroic efforts by the Indian side, with opener Shubman Gill (91) and a battered Cheteshwar Pujara (56) helping them mow down the total with defiant half-centuries.

Without a single first-choice bowler in Brisbane, India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, two years after beating Australia in the 2018-19 series Down Under, and also shot to the top of the World Test Championship.

This victory, however, was a greater achievement by far as the previous series saw Australia deprived of top batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner due to a ball-tampering scandal.

FAR CRY FROM ADELAIDE

The jubilant scenes at the Gabba were also a far cry from the Adelaide opener when India were bowled out for 36 and suffered a thrashing in three days.

Yet they rallied superbly to win in Melbourne and held Australia to a brave draw in the third test in Sydney.

Australia battled hard to claim late wickets on day five in Brisbane but questions will be asked about Tim Paine's captaincy, with the home side proving incapable of bowling India out on the fifth day for a second successive test.

"Absolutely disappointed," said Paine, who was jeered by sections of the crowd at the post-match presentation.

"We came here to win the test and the series, it's been a bit of a trend that we were found wanting in the key moments and completely outplayed by a tough Indian side that fully deserves the win."

Rahane will be the toast of India, however, and now holds an unbeaten record of four wins in five tests.

"It really means a lot to us. I don't know how to describe this victory. I'm just proud of all the boys," said Rahane.

"After Adelaide we didn't discuss about what happened, we just wanted to play our game, show good attitude, show good character on the field.

"Credit to Pujara, the way he handled the pressure was magnificent, and Rishabh was brilliant in the end."

Australia paceman Pat Cummins was named Player of the Series in a losing cause after taking 21 wickets.

Yet he and Australia's vaunted attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon will also be under scrutiny after failing on home pitches.

"Good hard day of test cricket today, I thought Rishabh and the whole Indian side played fantastically, took the game on and deserved the win," said Cummins.

"I would have liked the cracks to play a few more tricks, but it was a pretty good wicket."

More For You

Manchester student auctions virginity for £1.7 million, Hollywood star wins bid

Despite the mixed reactions, Laura remains confident in her choice

Instagram/ dailymirror

Manchester student auctions virginity for £1.7 million, Hollywood star wins bid

A 22-year-old student from Manchester, Laura, has sparked widespread controversy after selling her virginity for Rs 18 crore (around £1.7 million) through an online auction. The auction, organised via a well-known escort agency’s website, attracted interest from several high-profile figures, including politicians, business moguls, and celebrities. The winning bid came from a Hollywood star, who remains anonymous, propelling Laura’s decision into the public eye.

Laura, who comes from a religious background, explained that she has no regrets about her decision, describing it as a strategic move to secure her financial future. “I don’t regret it. Many girls lose their virginity for nothing. At least I gained financial security,” she said. For her, the auction was a business transaction that allowed her to capitalise on what she considered a valuable asset. She emphasised that many women do not benefit financially or emotionally from losing their virginity, while she saw an opportunity to gain independence.

Keep ReadingShow less
Black Mirror's first trailer for the new season teases more tech horrors

Cristin Milioti

Getty images

Black Mirror's first trailer for the new season teases more tech horrors

Black Mirror fans have much to look forward to as Netflix drops the first trailer for the latest season of Charlie Brooker’s dystopian anthology. The new season, set to premiere on 10 April, promises six new episodes filled with chilling stories that explore the dark side of technology. The trailer maintains the show’s familiar ominous tone, hinting at yet more disquieting narratives in a world where technology continues to go wrong.

An all-star cast

This new chapter brings a stellar cast to the Black Mirror universe, with familiar faces from the world of film and television making their debuts. Peter Capaldi, Issa Rae, Paul Giamatti, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Emma Corrin are just a few of the big names lined up for the new season. The trailer also confirms the return of some past stars, with Cristin Milioti reprising her role as Nanette Cole from the fan-favourite “USS Callister” episode.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer scraps NHS England to cut costs and improve care

Keir Starmer speaks with medical staff during a visit to the Elective Orthopaedic Centre at Epsom Hospital in Epsom, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Starmer scraps NHS England to cut costs and improve care


HUNDREDS of millions of pounds could be saved and patient waiting lists reduced as prime minister Keir Starmer announced plans to abolish NHS England, the body overseeing the state-funded health system.

In a speech delivered in Hull, Starmer explained his decision to streamline the National Health Service's management structure: "I can't, in all honesty, explain to the British people why they should spend their money on two layers of bureaucracy."

Keep ReadingShow less
UK economy contracts unexpectedly in January

Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks while holding roundtable discussion during a visit to RAF Waddington in eastern England. (Photo by YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

UK economy contracts unexpectedly in January

BRITAIN's economy unexpectedly shrank in January, official data showed on Friday (14), piling more pressure on the Labour government ahead of its Spring Statement on the economy.

Gross domestic product contracted 0.1 per cent in the month after GDP rose 0.4 per cent in December, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Yash responds to John Wick stunt coordinator' praise for upcoming film Toxic

The makers of Toxic have kept many details about the film under wraps, including its complete cast

Instagram/ jjlocoperry

Yash responds to John Wick stunt coordinator' praise for upcoming film Toxic

Kannada superstar Yash, who garnered global recognition for his KGF films, is once again in the spotlight. This time, it’s for his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film, which is highly anticipated, has been receiving praise from Hollywood action director, JJ Perry, known for his work in blockbusters like John Wick and Iron Man. Perry, who joined the Toxic team a few months ago, recently took to Instagram to share his excitement about the project and posted a behind-the-scenes picture from the set.

In his post, Perry expressed how much he enjoyed working on Toxic and called the film “a banger.” He also mentioned that it was a pleasure collaborating with Yash and his close friends from Europe. This public appreciation from a Hollywood heavyweight has only amplified the buzz around the film, especially given Perry’s reputation for working on high-octane action sequences.

Keep ReadingShow less